Injury despair for Simpson

London Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson has seen his international chances hampered once again by injury.

Last Updated: 31/05/10 3:04pm

London Wasps scrum-half Joe Simpson has seen his international chances hampered once again by injury.

The 21-year-old had been due to battle with Danny Care and Ben Youngs for the England No.9 shirt during the five-match tour Down Under this month.

However a hamstring injury suffered during the MasterCard Trophy victory over the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday has now ruled Simpson out of the trip, with London Irish's Paul Hodgson called into the squad.

It is the second injury blow to hit Simpson's international hopes, with Simpson, who was actually born in Sydney, having missed the the RBS six Nations with a dislocated shoulder.

A statement from the RFU confirmed: "Further to a medical assessment and review conducted by the England medical team, Joe Simpson has had to withdraw from the England tour to Australia and New Zealand after sustaining a left hamstring injury in the MasterCard Trophy England v Barbarians match."

Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson and Newcastle prop Jon Golding have made the trip to Perth despite picking up knocks against the Baa-Baas.

The duo will be assessed again by the medical team when they arrive in Perth although the duo are expected to be passed fit to take part in the tour.